A Founding Father in Tampa

Al Arbour, one of the ultimate Islanders' fathers, is in town tonight for the game with his wife Claire and some friends.

It always great to have Al around. He didn't want come down to the room before the game, but will stop by after. Scott Gordon is looking forward to meeting Al.

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Yup, that was a canon

Sometimes, you can’t make something up this good if you tried.

Today is the annual Gasparilla Pirate Invasion in Tampa. What that means is, the harbor outside of our hotel is full of boats, pirates and drunken people all there to have a good time. Oh yeah, and canons that are going off every other minute.

It’s one big party, which started before we even woke up today. It’s the Mardi Gras of Florida with beads, booze and everything else.

Between the loud music, the cheering, the fireworks and the canons – have I mentioned those yet? -- so much for the pre-game nap!

Oh yeah, there’s at least two boats that keep blowing their horns.

When I stepped into the elevator this morning for breakfast, I rode down with a pirate and two of his lady friends - also dressed up in pirate-eque garb. Very interesting trip for the buffet.

This is quite the experience. At least the dads are enjoying themselves!

(Pictures are 2 views from outside of our hotel...)

Where are they now… Bill Mikkelson

An original Islander was in the house this morning. ’72-‘73er Bill Mikkelson attended the morning skate today as part of the Anaheim contingent. Why was he here? His son Brendon is up playing for the Ducks this season and the team is at the tail end of their fathers/mentors trip.

I gave Bill a tour of the locker room, which he said looks nothing like it did the first two seasons he was with the team. (The locker room went through a minor renovation in the mid-to-late 90s, and the layout was changed)

He also was touched to see the team photo of the original 1972-73 team hanging up in our team office at the Coliseum and took a picture with Brendan pointing to his dad.

Bill will be a guest of Rich Barabbi at the end of the first intermission on the scoreboard.